Method for preserving tennis-balls or other objects containing fluid under pressure.



F. W. STOCKTON. METHOD FOR PRESERVING TENNIS BALLS OR OTHER OBJECTS CONTAINING FLUID UNDER PRESSURE. APPLICATION FILED AUG. l4. l9l5.

Patented Dec. 12, 1916.

FRANJK. STOCKTON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

METHOD FOR. PRESERVING TENNIS-BALLS OR OTHER OBJECTS CONTAINING .FLUID UNDER PRESSURE.

till

1,2tl't,13.

Original application filed March 6, 1915, Serial No. 12,653. Divided and Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 1L2, 1916. this application filed August It,

1915. Serial No. 15,581.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l[, FRANK W. STOCK- TON, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and a resident of the city of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Method for Preserving Tennis-Balls or other Objects Containing Fluid Under Pressure, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a new and use- -ful method of preserving a state of fluid pressure in tennis balls or other objects containing fluid under pressure, the present application being a division of my pending application, Serial No. 12,653, filed March 6, 1915, for method and apparatus for preserving tennis balls or other balls.

The object of my invention is the production of a method of the character and for the purpose mentioned whereby the pressure in a tennis ball or other object may be preserved notwithstanding that the object may be unused or stored away for a great length of time.

A further object is the production of a method as mentioned through the medium of which the internal pressure in a tennis ball or other object may be preserved at a low cost.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

With these objects in view, the invention consists in the method hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which the figure is a central section through a receptacle containing a ball, said receptacle being designed especially for use in the process forming the subject matter of this application.

Tn the employment of this method for the preservatlon oi. a tennis ball or other object containing fluid under pressure, a receptacle 1 in the form of an ordinary sheet metal can is employed which is of a size adapting the same to accommodate the object 2 whose pressure it is desired to pre serve. The receptacle 1 is open at its upper end and is provided with a cover 3 which is adapted to be hermetically sealed in operative position after the object 2 has been placed in the receptacle.

The i tmg method 19ml g the ubject matter of this application contemplates the creation of a fluid pressure in the receptacle 1 around the ball or object 2 after .the cover 3 has been sealed in position, the creation of this pressure being brought about through chemical reaction. In this connection, in order to secure the desired chemical reaction, the receptacle will be provided with a calculated amount of a suitable chemical such as ammonium-nitrite placed in the bottom of the receptacle, the latter being provided with one or more cu s 4: to accommodate the chemical. This aving been done, upon the receptacle being hermetically sealed, through sealing of the cover 3 in position, the receptacle is suitably heated. When this is done, the ammoniumnitrite will be decomposed and generate a large volume of gas. The gas thus generated will produce the fluid pressure desired within. the receptacle provided the calculated amount of ammonium-nitrite has been used.

It will be seen that with the pressure in the receptacle surrounding the ball or object 2 the same as that of the interior of the latter. the possibility of leakage from the ball or object is prevented and thus reduction of pressure of the same prevented. The possibility of leakage from. the ball or object being precluded, the same may be kept indefinitely without deterioration through softening, such as results at the present time where a ball, such as a tennis ball is kept from one season to another or for a considerable period of time.

While I have mentioned but one chemical in connection with the creation of fluid pressure within the receptacle, it is understood that I do not limit myself specifically to its use, inasmuch as it is possible that other chemicals may as easily and readily be used. I, therefore, wish it understood that I desire to avail myself of the use of any other chemicals which come within the scope of my invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure Letters Patent is:

1. The method of preserving a state of fluid pressure in an, about during storage andprior to use of the ch ject, which" consists sealed container,

substantially the same as that of the pressure in the object.

3. The method of preservin a state of fluid pressure in an object whic consists in inclosin the object in a hermetically sealed receptac e, and then through chemical reaction creating a fluid pressure in the receptacle around the object.

4.- The method fluid pressure in an object during storage and prior to use of the object, which consists in inclosing the object in a hermetically f preserv ng a state of sealed container, and then through chemical reaction, within the container, creating a fluid pressure in the container around the object. I

5. The method of reserving a state of fluid pressure in an 0 ject during storage and prior to use of the object, which consists m inclosing the object in a hermetically sealed container, and then, through chemical reaction, within the container, creating a fluid. pressure in the container around the object substantially the same as that of the pressure in the ob ect.

In testimony whereof I have signed my .name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK W. STOCKTON.

' Witnemes:

JOSHUA R. H. Porrs, Harm: F. Lmms. 

